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Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 10:13 PM UTC

Morning-after pill now available over-the-counter

The FDA announced Tuesday that women 15 and up can buy the emergency contraceptive without prescription

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Topics: Associated Press, Contraception, Abortion, morning after pill, FDA, Editor's Picks, , ,

Morning-after pill now available over-the-counter (Credit: AP)

WASHINGTON — The Plan B morning-after pill is moving over-the-counter, a decision announced by the Food and Drug Administration just days before a court-imposed deadline.

On Tuesday, the FDA lowered to 15 the age at which girls and women can buy the emergency contraceptive without a prescription — and said it no longer has to be kept behind pharmacy counters.

Instead, the pill can sit on drugstore shelves just like condoms, but that buyers would have to prove their age at the cash register.

Earlier this month, a federal judge had ruled there should be no age restrictions and gave the FDA 30 days to act. The FDA said its latest decision was independent of the court case.

More Associated Press.

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